There have been plenty of big fights in boxing over the past decade, but perhaps none of them were more talked about going into it than Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. It was a fight that had been talked about for years before finally coming to fruition. Ultimately, it happened when both boxers were into the twilight of their careers.
That didn’t allow time for a rematch, but there’s been no shortage of discussions surrounding one in the years following the bout. With both Mayweather and Pacquiao retired, discussions turned into exhibition talks. It felt like it was close when Pacquiao spoke about it in 2024, but it never materialized. Instead, Pacquiao made a stunning and somewhat successful return to professional boxing this year. That move could lead to a Mayweather rematch, but in a “real” way.
Manny Pacquiao confirmed Floyd Mayweather Jr. rematch would not be an exhibition
Pacquiao confirmed this week that the rematch is currently in the negotiations phase, and it wouldn’t be an exhibition.
“Right now it is in negotiations. My people and his people are directly coordinating. Now I don’t have a shoulder problem, so it’s a good fight. I’m sure the world of boxing will be excited if the rematch will push through.“
Pacquiao also says that a potential bout against recently retired Vasiliy Lomachenko is in negotiations as well. That one would be an exhibition, “but the Mayweather thing that we are negotiating right now is a real fight“.
Given how good Pacquiao looked against Mario Barrios, some might favor PacMan in the rematch.
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